Honestly, most of these "mini-consoles" are just dust magnets. You buy them because they look cute on a shelf, you play them for twenty minutes, and then they sit there until the batteries leak or you lose the charging cable. But the Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda is weirdly different. It’s not just a plastic nostalgia trip. It’s a functional piece of hardware that somehow makes 8-bit gaming feel tolerable in 2026.
Nintendo released this thing to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the franchise. It followed the Mario version, but they clearly learned a few lessons between the two. While the Mario unit was basically just a clock with Super Mario Bros. slapped on it, the Zelda handheld feels like a curated museum exhibit you can carry in your pocket. It’s tiny. It’s shiny. It’s green.
But does it actually play well?
The Hardware Reality Check
If you’ve got big hands, you’re gonna struggle. That’s just the truth. The d-pad is clicky and responsive, but it’s small enough that your thumb might cover the whole thing. The "Gold" faceplate is actually a brushed metal material that catches the light beautifully, though it’s a total fingerprint magnet. Unlike the original 1980s Game & Watch units, this has a full-color LCD. It’s crisp. The blacks are surprisingly deep for a budget commemorative device.
The most underrated feature is the USB-C charging. It sounds like a small thing, but being able to grab any phone charger to juice up a Zelda machine is a lifesaver. You get about eight hours of battery life if you aren’t cranking the brightness to the max.
What’s Actually Under the Hood?
You aren't just getting one game here. Nintendo packed in a surprising amount of history.
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- The Legend of Zelda (NES): The one that started it all.
- Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (NES): The "black sheep" that everyone says they hate but secretly loves the combat of.
- The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (Game Boy): The crown jewel of this collection.
- Vermin (Game & Watch): A classic "Whac-A-Mole" style game featuring Link instead of the generic Mr. Game & Watch character.
Why Link’s Awakening is the MVP
Playing Link’s Awakening on this screen is a revelation. On an original Game Boy, you were squinting at a pea-soup green screen with ghosting so bad you couldn't see Link move. Here? It’s sharp. The monochrome palette is preserved, but the backlight makes it playable in the dark. It feels like the way the developers wanted you to see it back in 1993.
Dealing with the Zelda II Difficulty
Let’s be real: Zelda II is brutal. It’s the game that ended many childhoods in frustration. On this Game & Watch, it’s still hard, but the screen clarity helps with the frame-perfect stabs needed to kill those annoying Iron Knuckles. Plus, you can pause it whenever you want. That's a godsend.
The Secret "Clock" Stuff Nobody Uses (But Should)
Most people ignore the clock feature. That’s a mistake. The digital clock is interactive. You can actually take control of Link and fight enemies while the time ticks away in the background. It’s a "playable" clock.
There’s also a timer feature based on Zelda II. You set a time, and you have to see how many enemies you can defeat before it runs out. It’s a fun little distraction when you’re waiting for a bus or sitting in a boring meeting.
Hidden Secrets and Easter Eggs
Nintendo loves hiding stuff. If you hold the A button for five seconds on the Title Screen of the original Zelda, you’ll unlock "Easy Mode" (officially called "Max Stats"). You start with all the hearts and a powered-up sword. It’s perfect for people who just want to breeze through the map without the 1986-era grinding.
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Also, if you leave the clock alone for a while, you’ll see different animations depending on the time of day. Link interacts with the environment differently at 3:00 AM than he does at Noon. It’s a level of detail they didn't have to include, but they did.
The Comparison: Original Hardware vs. Game & Watch
Is it better than playing on an NES?
In some ways, yeah. The colors are more vibrant. The portability is obvious. But the sound is where it gets tricky. The tiny speaker is "loud enough," but it lacks any real bass. When that iconic Zelda theme kicks in, it sounds a bit tinny. You can’t use headphones, either. There is no 3.5mm jack. This is arguably the biggest flaw of the device. If you’re on a plane, everyone is going to hear your sword beams.
The Collector’s Dilemma
Should you open it?
Prices for these have been weird. They aren't as rare as the limited-run "Super Mario" Game & Watch, but they aren't exactly sitting on every shelf anymore. If you find one at a decent price, buy it to play it. The build quality is high enough that it won't fall apart, and the value is in the experience of having a dedicated Zelda machine in your pocket.
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It’s a specific kind of magic. It’s tactile.
Technical Limitations to Keep in Mind
- No Save States: Unlike the Nintendo Switch Online versions, you don't have "suspend points" you can jump back to at any millisecond. It saves your progress like the original cartridges did.
- Small Screen: If you have vision issues, the 2.36-inch screen is going to be a problem.
- No Kickstand: The Mario version didn't have one, but the Zelda one actually comes with a cardboard insert that acts as a stand. It’s a bit flimsy, but it works for desk display.
How to Maximize Your Experience
If you just picked one up, don't just rush through the games. Use the clock. Let it sit on your desk while you work. There’s something soothing about seeing Link run around a forest in the corner of your eye while you're grinding through emails.
Actionable Steps for New Owners:
- Update your charging habits: Don't leave it plugged in 24/7. Like any lithium-ion battery, it likes to be cycled. Charge it, use it, then charge it again.
- Try the regional versions: You can switch between the English and Japanese versions of the games. The Japanese version of the original Zelda used the Famicom Disk System audio, which has different (and some say better) sound effects for certain monsters.
- The Cardboard Stand: Don't throw away the inner packaging! The black cardboard insert is designed to be folded into a display stand. Most people toss it in the trash and then wonder why their Zelda clock won't stay upright.
- Clean the screen carefully: Use a microfiber cloth. The screen is plastic, not Gorilla Glass. A stray key in your pocket will scratch it instantly. If you plan on carrying it around, get a small hardshell case meant for earbuds; it fits perfectly.
This isn't just a toy. It’s a remarkably well-engineered tribute to a series that changed gaming. Whether you’re a speedrunner or someone who just wants to hear that "secret found" chime one more time, it’s worth the shelf space.